ATHENS, April 22, 2007, (WAFA)-Presidency Spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeina strongly denounced on Sunday the continued Israeli escalation against the Palestinian Territory during 24 hours, which claimed the lives of eight citizens in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In a statement, Abu Rdeina considered Israeli escalation as an Israeli attempt to undermine the state of calm and avoid it in the West Bank, warning that this escalation will lead to deterioration and instability in the region.

The continued Israeli military operations and the resumption of assassinations policy in Jenin, Nablus and Gaza aims at undermining the exerted efforts to revive the peace process in light of reactivation of Arab Peace Initiative in Riyad Summit, according to the statement.

Abu Rdeina called upon international community and the Quartet, in particular the American Administration to immediately intervene to halt the serious Israeli escalation which pushes the region into more deterioration and instability.

M.H.(11:40 P)(08:40 GMT)